1
as in to visit
to make a brief visit
I just stepped in to say hi on my way to class
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in to substitute
to serve as a replacement usually for a time only
couldn't find anyone to step in for me so that I could take a break from my caregiving duties
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of step in
The meeting will be the latest step in a contentious debate among city councilmembers, business leaders and interest groups surrounding the fate of current City Hall building.
—
Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Ultra Maritime has completed the first in-water deployment trial of its next-generation Multistatic Active Receive Sonobuoy, or MSARS, in Scotland, marking a major step in the United Kingdom’s push to modernize anti-submarine warfare.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council stepped in to host information sessions after community leaders said KCATA’s public outreach fell short.
—Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
In 1975, after the tragic crash of a C‑5 Galaxy military transport aircraft meant to evacuate Vietnamese orphans, two chartered Pan Am 747s stepped in as a part of Operation Babylift.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for step in
Steven Rosenbaum, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Ultra Maritime has completed the first in-water deployment trial of its next-generation Multistatic Active Receive Sonobuoy, or MSARS, in Scotland, marking a major step in the United Kingdom’s push to modernize anti-submarine warfare.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 12 June 2026
The Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council stepped in to host information sessions after community leaders said KCATA’s public outreach fell short.
—Ian Cummings, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026
In 1975, after the tragic crash of a C‑5 Galaxy military transport aircraft meant to evacuate Vietnamese orphans, two chartered Pan Am 747s stepped in as a part of Operation Babylift.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for step in
Recent Examples of Synonyms for step in
Verb
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Bald eagles, owls, hawks, falcons and vultures are all among the birds of prey visitors can see when visiting the 3-acre property on Lake Sybelia, which is one of 55 Audubon centers and sanctuaries nationwide.—
Patrick Connolly,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 June 2026
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After visiting the metro, however, the couple fell in love with the City of Fountains.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
Verb
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Another rule approved by the IFAB to help with the pace of the games states that players being substituted out will have 10 seconds to leave the pitch once the board marking the move is shown or the referee signals the change.—
Kierra Frazier,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
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The interest on that corpus would substitute for the payroll revenue the program lacks since Congress hasn't meaningfully added in over three decades.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Verb
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Taylor later looped a single into center field to drive in a run in the fifth inning.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 June 2026
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Buenik’s good start helped — Mount Carmel’s first two batters struck out looking — and the Wildcats then scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Dogs would be at the other end of the scale, metonymic creatures that stand in for us—and did for Diogenes—by virtue of their cultural proximity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
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On Friday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton stood in front of the San Mateo Elections Office to express his outrage over how long the vote count was taking.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
9 June 2026
Verb
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Anyone with information about the killing may contact detectives by calling 816-234-5043 or reach out to the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
15 June 2026
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Even some supporters called that a mistake that damaged his credibility.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
15 June 2026
Verb
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Doughty’s longtime teammate, Anže Kopitar, retired this spring and left a huge void to fill in the middle.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
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Hospitals and schools could help fill in as well.—
Luis Melecio-Zambrano,
Mercury News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Step in.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/step%20in. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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